You know what it feels like to be really hungry, or perhaps you have even been in a circumstance where you have not eaten for a few days. It goes beyond normal hunger pains. Even more acute can be the feeling of deep thirst. Our need for liquid is very present to our survival. We rarely go through an entire day without being noticeably thirsty.
Jesus explains to us that a hunger and thirst after righteousness is a true blessing. It is the way God reverses the futility of our lives – the self-indulgence we so easily crave to satiate. To be hungry for God is an unnatural craving. “But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” (John 4:32)
If we are able to move beyond what is natural to what is supernatural, we can find something very unique when it comes to satisfaction of heart and mind. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6) What an incredible statement – and what a promise. This goes so far beyond any religious experience or reining in of personal behavior.
God’s Word is our true food. It is our manna from heaven. It sustains us in ways our usual daily bread cannot. It sustains our spirit and overtakes our soul – if we want it to.
Likewise the Holy Spirit is living water to us. “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:38)
These two supernatural gifts are given without limit. In fact, the only limitation appears to be the strength of our desire.
Pages 23-25 talk about the outcomes of this in the life of a follower who pursues Kingdom: Finding our True Selves. The very thing the Son of God in human form accomplished to show us how this happens.
Check out this Kingdom series under Books/Kingdom!
Dave and Burnadette